Discover History

We have reached the start of November. We are therefore putting together the 2026 online 'Advent Calendar'. In the past we have looked at childhood toys, Christmas songs, food, and even Christmas traditions of the past.

Its today. We love passing on our research and knowledge of history, especially, when its local history. Have a great Sunday, and feel free to search our social media posts using the hashtag and .

Happy Halloween everyone. May your evening be a safe and spooky one.

It may be Halloween, but for many people in Worcestershire, its Gheluvelt Day. We have covered this famous battle in previous post.

A look at the events of 1914 -

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ShBXWEAUL/

A look at Major Hankey, who led the charge -

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14u8zAYqBvt/

A look at the famous painting -

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dsbh5pW6X/

A look at Gheluvelt Park -

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FhWGHc697/

Thanks for all your love and support towards Helen.

Sadly things haven't been great the past couple of weeks. We have had to delay the treatment plans put in place as she had a bit of a freak accident. As she was getting into the car to go to an appointment, the bone in her left arm decided to shatter causing a hospital stay. The CT scan showed that the cancer has spread there which is what caused it to shatter when she put pressure on it. It's all braced up at the moment and there is the possibility of surgery to have it pinned. The outcome is the same regardless in that the use of that arm is now very restricted as the bone will never heal.

While she rests, treatment has been put on hold. It has also meant bookings needing to be rescheduled or cancelled which we can only apologise about. As she currently needs 24 hour care, this is why I have had to juggle the diary the best I can, and I thank Ion for all his help and support with this here too.

Despite it all, she remains positive as you can see and I am in awe of just how strong she has been. It's not been a great couple of months but we are taking each day as it comes.

We are still here for you too. Guided tours are currently the easiest booking to offer. So if you are looking at the Worcester Story, our Spooky Story or even the festive story then please drop us an email. All other tours are still bookable as well. And if you are in need of Christmas presents then please take a look at our shop.

Take care all and stay safe 😊

- Bellarmine Jugs are beautiful, hard-wearing, salt glazed stoneware jugs that were manufactured in Germany in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The main area of manufacture was around Cologne and the town of Frechen. They are also called Bartmannpitchers or Bartmann Jugs. Bartmann translates as bearded man. They are bulbous and often have an orange peel texture due to salt being thrown into the Kiln. They always have a bearded face on the neck of the jug. The image is closely associated with folklore of a wild man or beast who walks the deep forests of Europe. In the 1630s the jugs were associated with Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino, a fierce Italian Jesuit and a fierce opponent of Protestantism. Some also show coats of arms or decorative seals. They came in many sizes and had many uses. Some were used to transport and store w**e, b**r, oil, vinegar, and even Mercury! You can still buy originals for around £600, however we use replicas which are much cheaper. Fragments, even complete Bellarmines, are found by archaeologists and some lucky gardeners in many places, including across Britain and America. It's Halloween tomorrow, and small Bellarmine Jugs were also used to ward off witches. This is why they are sometimes called 'Witch Bottles'. They were usually filled with bent pins, iron nails and human urine! Witch Bottles span the centuries, with all sorts of bottles being used by the 19th Century. Some are found hidden in chimneys or under the floorboards of old houses. It is probably best to leave them where they are, and never try and drink the contents!

Paul will be talking to Malcolm Boyden, on BBC Hereford and Worcester Radio tomorrow morning. Worcester is often called the 'Faithful' city, but historically, it could be seen as one full of 'Traitors'.

As we approach Halloween, im sure many of you may be carving a vegetable as a decoration. Which decoration do you like the best? Is it the more traditional, but hard to carve Turnip? or the easier, American Pumpkin? Remember, Halloween has much earlier origins in British history.